Posts Tagged ‘Movies & Memories’
KC Movies & Memories’ New Focus on Musicals: Oh What a Beautiful White Christmas
First we get people’s toes tapping and hands clapping with live musical performances from some of Kansas City’s great musicians. Then KC Movies & Memories’ new focus on beloved movie musicals keeps our audience engaged and connected. This is a lively, intergenerational experience that families can easily replicate. Please see our invitation below.
Our November program delighted guests with an eclectic array of harp music, performed by Juli Sackman. We followed that with the story of the award-winning movie Oklahoma, punctuated by lively song and dance numbers. Here is the link to that experience.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=56FbaPmCIbQ&feature=youtu.be
In December, we were wowed by Indian Hills Middle School eighth grade choir. They entertained us with intricate renditions of holiday tunes. Then, Jim Poplau, manager of the Waldo Library, shared one of his favorite holiday films, White Christmas. Watching the 1954 trailer of the film, in Vista-Vision, reminded many of the rare childhood treat of attending the cinema. Jim regaled us with the complicated plot of the film and shared some of the beloved songs, including Sisters, Count Your Blessings and of course White Christmas, which we all sang along with.
Here’s a link to that experience:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jN2p3vw3jyI&t=13s
Invitation: If you’d like to add some musical movie offerings to your holiday gathering, simply email us at creativity@pobox.com and we’ll send you a PDF 
featuring YouTube song clips and scripts you can modify for your family. These Movies-in-a Minute are courtesy of the Kansas City Public Library and The Creativity Connection.
Here’s to a lovely and meaningful holiday season.
What we look for in our dementia-friendly films.
- Uplifting content
- A straightforward narrative that’s easy to follow.
- A subject matter that people might identify with
- No violence and a minimum of startling or loud noises
- No subtitles or complicated foreign accents
- Familiar or soothing music
Please join us for our Holiday Memory Cafe…
Deborah Shouse is the author of Connecting in the Land of Dementia: Creative Activities to Explore Together and Love in the Land of Dementia: Finding Hope in the Caregiver’s Journey.
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Some Enchanted Beautiful Morning: Movies & Memories Celebrates Inclusion
The buzz of conversation ceased as singer/actor Robert Gibby Brand stepped up to the microphone. His accompanist, pianist Robert Pherigo, played the opening bars of Oh, What a Beautiful Morning and Brand soared into the “Bright golden haze on the meadow.” Instantly the audience, ages two to 85 plus, was listening raptly. Brand continued his concert, inviting us to sing along on It’s a Long Way to Tipperary, and melting us with the Cole Porter classic Night and Day. Brand told us the story behind each song and left us wildly applauding after performing Some Enchanted Evening. It was some enchanted beautiful morning at the monthly KC Movies & Memories program.
But the enchantment didn’t stop there. First we watched the Oscar nominated short, 
Room on the Broom, which illustrated the joys and challenges of inclusion in a most creative, playful, and poignant way.
One of the characters said plaintively, “I am a bird, as green as can be. Is there room on the broom, for a bird like me?” The witch’s clingy cat captured that part in most of us that doesn’t want to share, that believes there is not enough. But the witch reminded us, “Yes, there is room.”
Afterwards we discussed the movie, asking who identified with the clingy cat. All of us had to raise our hands. Then we asked who identified with the witch, who welcomed everyone, and there was a large showing of hands. We also talked about favorite characters and what parts of the film we liked best.
To finish our mini film-fest, we played an inspiring clip from a Mr. Rogers show, and showed Purl, an 8-minute Pixar film, about how our differences can enrich our lives.
It was an inspiring program and everyone left uplifted and delightfully sated by our fresh-made popcorn and other treats.
For a taste of Some Enchanted Beautiful Morning, click here.
A big thanks to our volunteers, Sharon, Julie, and Pam, and to our generous hosts, The Plaza Library.
Want to continue the magic at home?
Room on the Broom is a 20-minute film that is fun for all ages, while being both entertaining and profound. You can easily generate open-ended questions and invite comments and conversation. We talked about, “If you were an animal, which animal would you like to be?” “Who did you identify with?” “What were your favorite parts of the movie?” “Have you ever not wanted to share?”
Want to continue the magic with us? Mark your calendars for the first Wednesday of each month at 10:30. Please join us for our next cafe and our next movie program. For more information, contact Deborah at creativity@pobox.com
Click to view informative and inspiring short videos on our YouTube channel
Deborah Shouse is the author of Connecting in the Land of Dementia: Creative Activities to Explore Together and Love in the Land of Dementia: Finding Hope in the Caregiver’s Journey.
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Upcoming KC Dementia Friendly Events
Please join us for these upcoming KC Dementia Friendly events, specially created for people who are living with dementia and their family, friends, and care partners.
All are welcome.
Click to view informative and inspiring short videos on our YouTube channel
Deborah Shouse is the author of Connecting in the Land of Dementia: Creative Activities to Explore Together and Love in the Land of Dementia: Finding Hope in the Caregiver’s Journey.
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A Dream Came True at The Red Ballon Movies & Memories
“I wish I had a red balloon,” one of our guests said, after the inspiring ending of the short film, The Red Balloon. Moments later, the dream came true. Each guest was offered a buoyant scarlet balloon, the magical symbol of a meaningful film.
The Movies & Memories program now has a new time and date: the first Wednesday of each month from 10:30-12:00.
As guests enter the lower level of the 
Plaza Library, they breathe in the enticing aroma of fresh popcorn. Soon, they are settled in comfortable chairs and munching on popcorn and cookies, while being serenaded. They sing along with Richelle Basgall, who engages them with fiddle, guitar, kazoo, and more. They tap their feet and clap their hands, belting out favorite folk songs and old standards, such as Ol’ Suzanna, Que Sera Sera, and I’ve Been Working on the Railroad.
Then the lights lower and everyone watches intently as a young boy and his red balloon form a deep bond, and stick together, despite many obstacles. People were still talking about the movie as they and their balloons trail down the hallway, heading towards home.
Get a taste of The Red Balloon movie event by clicking here.
Many thanks to our wonderful volunteers, including Sharon, Julie, and Pam. And special thanks to Sharon and Elizabeth from Stonecrest for bringing delicious snacks for us.
Our next movie experience is on July 3rd. Please join us for Room on the Broom, and other short films, a celebration of diversity. You’ll love the songs from Robert Gibby Brand, our featured musician.
Click to view informative and inspiring short videos on our YouTube channel
Deborah Shouse is the author of Connecting in the Land of Dementia: Creative Activities to Explore Together and Love in the Land of Dementia: Finding Hope in the Caregiver’s Journey.
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Movies and Memories: Traveling the World Without Leaving Kansas City:
“I’ve traveled the world. Our family moved a lot when we were young,” one of our guests told us, at our August Movies and Memories program. She and her husband bent over our world map and stuck stars on some of the many places 
they’d lived. Another guest sighed when he looked at the map and saw Vietnam. He had served in the military there. A couple talked about living in Berlin when the Wall came down.
Our Movies and Memories travel films included forays into Paris, Iceland, Capetown, and Seoul.
“It was relaxing just watching the scenes from Paris,” said Ah’Lee Robinson, director of the Kansas City Boys and Girls Choirs. He and his singers treated us to an inspiring concert, warming us up for the films.
“Oh dear, now I want to go to Iceland,” another guest said.
In between clips, we passed around exotic spices for everyone to smell. At the end of the movies and memories adventure, everyone took home a special “Passport” booklet, created by the library’s Emily Cox, so they could record impressions and memories. To experience the event, click here.
Here are some passport questions to discuss at home:
Share some travel memories.
What is one of the most beautiful places you’ve ever visited?
What’s the farthest you’ve ever traveled?
What country has the best food?
How many of the US states have you visited?
Thanks to our wonderful volunteers, Sharon and Julie, who brighten our events by bringing treats, making popcorn, and making everyone feel so at home.
Thanks to Craig Eichelman, State Director, AARP, for helping us spread the word about this program.
We are so grateful for the continuing support from the Kansas City Public Library. They are amazing champions for people who are living with dementia and their care partners. They also provide scholarships for hard-working people whose higher education has been interrupted by life circumstances. Their community programs benefit early readers, job seekers, and people who are new to KC. Ron and I use their books and other services every week!
Please join us for our next adventure — Moana. This movie is so inspiring and great for all ages.
